Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1887-09-17
A SCHEMING WOMAN.
MRS. W. E SMITH.


Did Mrs. jackson give you such poor
dinner that you feel justified in denOunc-
ing all cooks, or are you above being
influenced by tough steaks and thick
coffee ?"
II should be hardly human, Miss
Gertie, if such things did not have
some weight in forming my decisions.
/ think Dr.. Pllsbury hardly realized
what L should have to endure at Mrs.
Jackson's hands, or he would not have
sent me out into the country to rest
and regain my strength"
"f you had as much strength as the
butter she gave US for breakfast you
would have been able to pursue your
studies without a rest, said Olive Mar
lett, speaking for the first time Il
should think she would be ashamed to
set any one down to such a table;
really, I think shall be obliged to go
home soon unless L can find = different
place to board I did not expect to
find anything very wonderful in the
country. but I did suppose the folks
knew enough to cook a decent meal.
Gertie WestOn's face flushed
"You should not Judge all country
people by Mrs. Jackson, or Sarah
Ann" she said, gently. 81 know a
number Of young ladies, educated and
refined. that are also excellent cooks.
do you, really, Miss Weston? Then
I should think you might take pity on
me, and go with me to look for a new
boarding place. j viii be under last
ing obligations to you if you viii, and
will try and make the ride pleasant be-
side"
Bert Maynard became very much in
earnest. as he thought how pleasant a
ride would be with Gertie Weston as
guide and companion.
But Miss Marlett had no intention of
letting them take such a ride without
her. if she could help it. For she had
fancied, of late, that Bert felt more
than an ordinary interest in Gertie, aud
for the sake of her own plans for the
future she did not wish them to get
any better acquainted, so she joined in
the conversation at once, speaking as
if she had been included in the invita-
tion. and asking if they should go the
next morning.
Bert's interest in the ride seemed to
die out as speedily as 1t had arisen
and he did not appoint any other time
or urge the matter when Gertie said tC
Olive that it would be impossible fOl
her to 60 in the morning.
Miss Marlett noticed how willing
he was to let the subject drop,
and was quick enough to see
the reason, and a Jealous ha
tired and determination to lessen his
regard for Gertie took possession 81
her; but she did not show it in heI
actions she was pleasant and sweet tC
the young girl, while inwardly plan.
ming to mOrtify and huniliate her.
They were still laughing and chatting
together when Mrs. Jackson's supper
bell rang; and as Miss Marlett ant
Bert walked across the lawn she trie,
to lead him to make some disparagine
remark about Gertie. saying: "DiJ
you notice Miss Weston's hands? They
are such an odd shape, so short anJ
stubby, and she glanced complacentl,
at her own slender fingers. But b,
only said:
'You have such nicely-shaped hand
yourself, Miss Marlett, it makes 70,
take more notice Of others than L do.
Then, as he, too, glanced at her hand
he continued:
'That is an odd bracelet you wear
at least the bangles are odd"
ayes" she said, 1T is odd, and ais
Yerv valuable. Would you like to loo
at il and she slipped it of and handle,
it to him. My uncle was a cOllecto
Of rare coins, and left those TO me whe
he died. I do not like them to be on
of my sight, and thought if I had then
put on a band now while It
the fashion to wear bangles
would be the easiest way for me t
take care Of them. You and tn
jeweler, and she laughed a little, Gar
the only ones that have ever handles
them, except myself, since they cam
into my possession"
"Indeedl feel quite hOnOred. Blu
here is one that some one else wi
handle if you don't have it fixed. See
the fastening is defective"
"Why, so it is; 1 am very glad 20
noticed it. I Will have to be careful @
I shall lose it, but viii have it repaire
the first time / 60 to the city"
As she held out the slender wrist fC
Bert to put the bracelet on, she added
IF / should lose IL, Mr.. Maynard,
will call upon you to identify it in cas-
of it being found. 1t is the most valT
able coin in my collection. Would 20
know it again?"
Certainly should, no matter wher
I saw it. /"
They had reached the house by thi
time, and the conversation dropped.
The next afternoon Miss Marlett
watching from behind the shelter {
Mrs. Jackson's green blinds, saw Bel
cross the lawn to Mrs. Weston's, an
at once decided to go there herself
Catching mp her hat she reached tn
shaded porch almost as soon as BeT
himself, whom she appeared much SUI
prised to see.
Living so close to Mrs. Jackson's
was no unusual thing for her summe
boarders to make themselves q
home at motherly Mrs. Weston's, g
there was no need Of an excuse 70
their coming.
Gertie and Mrs Weston brough
chairs for them, and the four were 500
having a pleasant chat
In the course of their conversatiO
Mrs Weston asked if they were fond c
honey. And on their replying, said
"Mr. Weston took out about tire
hundred pounds from our hives thi
morning, and Gertie has promises
him she viii make warm biscuits 10
tea; You had better stay and have som
with u.s.
Bert glanced at Critic with a smile
Il shall be more than pleased to &C
eept my share OF your kind inVita
ton. Mrs. Weston" he said, so
Miss Gertie and had an argumen
yesterday about young ladies cooking
and / shall be glad to let her eon1nc
me that i was ia error.
@Wil you acknowledge that you az
in error 81 the buscuits are good 2
Gertie askq pc she glanced at ia
clock, and 90 fold up her work